Tag Archives: Doug Leventhal

Partner-to-partner transactions building up the valley
one project at a time

When Valley Partnership was founded 27 years ago, it was on the principles of responsible development. It has since grown to thousands of members throughout the commercial real estate community — from subcontractors to some of the largest developers in Arizona.

Eastmark includes a partnership between DMB Associates and Markham Contracting Co.

“In 2014 and beyond, Valley Partnership developer companies are the leaders of almost every major commercial real estate project announced, including Marina Heights, the numerous announcements of deals at Eastmark, and Liberty Center at Rio Salado,” says Valley Partnership President and CEO Richard Hubbard.

The members have rallied behind the idea of partnership, Hubbard says.

“These developers use Valley Partnership partners for all construction disciplines related to the project including planning, design, architecture, general contracting, engineering and even law and accounting,” Hubbard says. “Many of those ‘partner-to-partner’ transactions have come from long-standing relationships created through Valley Partnership. I would say that every level of partner in Valley Partnership, from board member to sole proprietor, is participating in the current commercial real estate building activity in the Valley.”

Some companies, such as Evergreen Devco, take the partner-to-partner very seriously.

Valley Partnership Chair of the Board Doug Leventhal is the principal and COO of Evergreen Devco. Though Evergreen has focused much of its recent work in Denver, the company finds exclusive value in partnership with fellow VP members for Arizona projects.

“I can say that for all our Arizona work, we tend to work exclusively with the companies that see the value in Valley Partnership and either are active members or active sponsors,” Leventhal says. “Our general contractors, for example, need to be members or sponsors almost as a prerequisite to getting our business. Our architects, engineers, attorneys and title companies need to be members of Valley Partnership — or have a good reason why they are not! It’s important to Evergreen that we collectively support Valley Partnership since we all benefit from its mission to promote responsible development in the Valley. We are all connected in this unique way.”

Liberty Center at Rio Salado is a partnership between Liberty Property Trust and Markham Contracting Co.

That unique connection, as DMB Associates President Charley Freericks sees it involves Valley Partnership’s advocacy role for developers as well as a genuine passion for making Arizona a great place to live.

“Valley Partnership understands that real estate isn’t the only driver of the economy,” says Freericks. “We are the beneficiaries of a strong and growing economy and it’s in our interest to make this a great place to live.”

Freericks, who has been a member for 10 years, served on the board of directors, was chairman in 2009, and has sat on multiple committees.

Most of DMB Associates’ partners at the developers’ 6,000-acre masterplanned community of Eastmark – and around the Valley – are Valley Partnership members, Freericks says.

“Over the years, we have worked with so many contractors, consultants and service providers who are members it would be hard to name them all,” he says. “In fact it might be difficult to find any that aren’t members.”

Valley Partnership has multiple avenues for paving those partnerships. There are 10 committees, including one for an annual golf tournament and a community building project. One of the most popular and frequent member events, is the Friday Morning Breakfasts — a monthly morning panel discussion about an industry trend featuring local experts.

Freericks reflected on a breakfast about the impact and trade partnership Arizona has with Canada as a particularly helpful one for his masterplanned communities of Eastmark and Victory at Verrado, which target Canadian homebuyers.

“Valley Partnership attracts important speakers and hosts debates of candidates for state and local offices which helps me make better informed decisions,” he says. “The Valley Partnership advocacy team was a huge help to the Fighter Country Partnership efforts to bring the F-35 mission to Luke. This will impact our economy for generations to come. Valley Partnership’s role as the champion for moderate regulation has impacted all of our properties over the years and will continue to do so.”

Heather Markham, vice president of Markham Contracting Co., says her company has been a member of Valley Partnership since 1992 and is also a Stewardship Sponsor. Markham has attended breakfasts for the last five years and is one of the students in Valley Partnership’s inaugural Young Advocates Program. As a co-chair of the Community Project Committee, Markham says she also appreciate’s Valley Partnership’s commitment to networking and giving back to the community.

“I believe this involvement in the community is critical personally as well as professionally for everyone,” she says.

“Valley Partnership plays a very strong role in responsible development of the commercial real estate community and provides an excellent venue for all the stakeholders in the process to come together and discuss issues and concerns as well as success stories,” she says. “This promotes strong partnerships between cities, counties, towns, state, land owners, developers, contractors, architects, engineers and every trade partner involved in making Arizona a great place to live and work.”

Valley Partnership announced that Richard Hubbard stepped down from his eight-year post as president and CEO of the advocacy group. The terms of Hubbard’s resignation are effective immediately, said Cecilia Riviere, Director of Partner Services for Valley Partnership. There will be no acting president and CEO while a subcommittee of board members select Hubbard’s replacement.

“We are thankful that Richard served Valley Partnership as our president and CEO for over eight years through both good times and bad. Working alongside Richard was a pleasure. Our attention is now shifting to the future of the organization. We are beginning the search to find a replacement to not only lead Valley Partnership but also carry forward the positive and exciting momentum we have,” said Valley Partnership Chairman of the Board Doug Leventhal.

With Hubbard’s departure, Valley Partnership is now seeking an inspired leader to head the organization in its mission as the Valley of the Sun’s premier advocacy group for responsible development.

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to lead a large, diverse non-profit association, with experience in government relations/advocacy and a strong working knowledge of the Greater Phoenix real estate community. Resumes may be submitted by e-mail to holly@thepeopleperspective.com. For a job summary and position requirements, please visit the Valley Partnership website at www.valleypartnership.org. Submissions must be made on or before close of business on January 16, 2015 to be considered.

Evergreen co-founders Bruce Pomeroy and Andy Skipper have announced the next generation of its executive leadership team.

Two years ago, Gregg Alpert, Evergreen COO and managing principal, passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest at the age of 45.

Alpert was a highly regarded community figure and a passionate leader. His passing left both an emotional and operational void at Evergreen. Each of the firm’s leadership team members expanded their roles.

Evergreen is proud that three of its senior leaders will work together to drive the company’s strategic operations. Doug Leventhal has been named COO and Laura Ortiz and Tyler Carlson have been named managing partners.

“Doug, Laura and Tyler are long-tenured leaders whom have contributed tremendously to Evergreen’s success over the years,” Pomeroy said. “Each offers a unique perspective and a particular expertise that allow us to create value for our customers.”

“We are delighted that Doug, Laura and Tyler will be leading us in to the future,” Skipper said. “Aside from their unmatched industry expertise and business acumen, they are passionate stewards of the culture we’re so proud of.”

Over the past 16 years, Leventhal has been involved with all aspects of commercial development from acquisition to disposition. In his new role, he will be involved with overseeing and directing the day-to-day operations of the company as well as development of commercial projects nationwide.

Leventhal is also the Designated Broker for Evergreen Commercial Realty, which is the brokerage arm of Evergreen Devco.

Leventhal’s post graduate work includes earning both an MBA and Master of Architecture (MArch) from Arizona State University. He earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Economics from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

In addition to being the vice-chair of the 2013 Board of Directors for Valley Partnership, Leventhal also serves on the Real Estate Council for ASU’s Master of Real Estate Development program and frequently appears as a guest lecturer as ASU and the annual ICSC CenterBuild conference.

Ortiz has been with Evergreen for more than 18 years. In her expanded role, she is responsible for the oversight and direction of retail projects for the company ranging from 1 to 50 acres, developing and implementing tools and systems for the management of Evergreen’s projects, new client development and relationship management, tenant lease negotiations, and consultant hiring and management.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Economics from the University of Arizona.

In his role as managing partner, Carlson leads the acquisition of commercial properties and oversees restaurant development nationwide. During his tenure with Evergreen, Carlson has been involved in all facets of real estate development across dozens of projects.

He is a licensed and active real estate broker and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics and earned a Master’s of Real Estate Development (MRED) from the University of Southern California.